Text Size

-

+

reset

FreedomWorks is trying to get in line with other prominent conservatives, including the Club for Growth, the Senate Conservatives Fund, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Sarah Palin. Earlier Friday, SCF announced a $280,000 television ad buy to boost Sasse over two weeks.

Sasse, 42, has been the president of Midland University, a small Lutheran school in Fremont, Neb., since Dec. 2010. He was an assistant secretary in George W. Bush’s Health and Human Services administration.

Osborn, 39, a former state treasurer and Navy pilot, is seen as the GOP establishment’s first choice, largely due to his better name recognition.

“Both Osborn and Sasse are great people, and this was not a decision taken lightly,” FreedomWorks president Matt Kibbe said in a statement. “The question at the heart of this decision is, who would caucus with the Freedom Caucus, and who would fall in line with the establishment? At this point, it is clear that Shane Osborn formed allegiances with Mitch McConnell and the K Street lobbying class.”

The Osborn campaign did not immediately have a statement.

Whoever wins the May 13 primary to succeed retiring Sen. Mike Johanns (R) is expected to coast to a general election victory.

Osborn said in a statement: “FreedomWorks has decided to endorse a candidate who they have attacked for months over his lack of conservatism and record of championing big government policies. Sasse is selling himself as the ObamaCare nemesis, but nothing could be further from the truth.”